"Although difficult, the economic and global warming crises are the motivation we need as a nation to retool our thinking. If we're smart enough to jump on this opportunity, we will not only solve global warming, we will set the US up for unprecedented economic success."
-Edward Mazria

Solving Climate Change Saves BillionsThe 2030 Blueprint Study

A groundbreaking study released by Architecture 2030 this week shows that an investment of just $21.6 billion towards building energy efficiency would replace 22.3 conventional coal-fired plants, reduce CO2 emissions by 86.7 MMT, save 204 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 10.7 million barrels of oil, save consumers $8.46 billion in energy bills and create 216,000 new jobs.

The 2030 Blueprint study gives a comparative analysis of three approaches to addressing climate change – building energy efficiency, ‘clean’ coal (with carbon capture and sequestration) and nuclear power – while laying a new roadmap for solving the global warming and US economic crises. This plan, the 2030 Blueprint, is generating excitement amongst many diverse industries and groups for its practicality and achievability.

When legislation containing the 2030 Challenge targets for federal buildings was signed into law on Capitol Hill last December, Architecture 2030 celebrated an enormous victory. As Edward Mazria sees it, though, this is just the beginning.

An article in this month’s Metropolis magazine celebrates the progress of Architecture 2030 to date, with success in Washington by which “not even Al Gore can claim such rapid headway.” In it, Mazria explains that having “the weight of the federal government behind the standards… sets the wheels in motion to establish conservation standards for the whole country.”

Edward Mazria made headlines after an appearance in Florida last month, presenting what the Miami Herald called “a clear-cut plan for solving not only the problem of greenhouse gas emissions but also the slumping U.S. economy.”

The event was attended by local business and community leaders who applauded action to increase energy efficiency in buildings and end our dependence on coal. Global warming is an urgent issue in South Florida where, as Architecture 2030's research has shown, as little as one-meter of sea level rise would have devastating effects.

Entrepreneur Vaults Over Cost ObstaclesWith Launch of Solar Leasing Program

A California company is demonstrating that combating climate change goes hand in hand with creating jobs and a strong economy.

SolarCity is revolutionizing the market for residential solar systems with a lease-based program that reduces homeowners’ upfront costs by as much as 90%. In just a year and a half, the Silicon Valley-based company has become the largest home solar-panel installer in the state and, in need of new employees, is launching its first workforce training academy in a disadvantaged San Francisco community – one that had previously suffered the effects of an adjacent coal-fired plant.